Friday, December 10, 2010

Five Senses Friday


















1. Listening to beautiful remixes of Feist's best songs

2. Eating nibbles of sugar cookie dough

3. The scent of two of my favorite Pacifica candles burning

4. The increasingly familiar weight of my camera in my hands

5. Sparkly snow falling in my little snow globe and wishing it would make an appearance outside.


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

exercising the camera

It was a fun first day working with Ben. Perfect, really. It's refreshing to interact with my husband in a fun, relaxed work setting as opposed to corralling small children, cleaning house or going to parties where we usually talk to other people.

And, when I got antsy with the office work, I took a quick stroll around the new neighborhood for some inspiration.
I love my new life!










Tuesday, December 7, 2010

returning to me

I quit my job! WIthout going into details, it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. While there were a number of fantastic things about my job (including the people), I was never able to get myself to feel really passionate about my work. I tried to focus on the positive aspects of my job, but after six years, our family has finally made the decision to have me come home. Well, mostly.

My husband started his own business in July, and thing have been going swimmingly! He loves the work he does (he's an interactive designer) and he's damn good at it, from what his clients say. Things have gotten busy recently, so I'm going to help with some of the office work. It's exciting to be doing something new, and directly helping our family business grow!

For now, I'm also home quite a bit. Today is the first day I would have normally been at work, but instead was home with my 17-month old daughter. I'm realizing just how little time I've had in recent months to do anything that is really a Briana activity -- cooking, taking photo walks, organizing and beautifying my home, spending intentional time with my children, etc.

Today, I was able to make these Spiced Apple Muffins, which turned out great! They have huge apple slices in them, and a crumbly streusel kind of topping. Yum!


I also made a big pan of roasted gold potatoes, carrots and onions with some herbs that miraculously are still growing in my garden despite the cold temperatures.

It was nice, though I admit I did feel a bit stir-crazy by the end of the day since all Drew wanted to do was read the same books over and over and over! I think some baby art classes or swimming lessons are in order.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Conversation with Addison 1 month before he turns 5


Tonight Addison and I were driving along one of our old commutes to his first preschool. We were talking about our old house and his old school, and then he let out a big sigh. I asked, "What's the matter, Bubs?"

"Oh, I just feel sad."

"Why? Are you thinking about old times?"

"Yeah," his voice slid down as he spoke, "That was all the way back in 2009. And 2009 will never happen again."

I smiled. "You're right, Addison. You don't get to go backward. Only forward."

Addison sighed again. "Everything just keeps changing all the time."

"I know buddy. That's life, I guess. Time keeps moving forward, and things keep changing. But I like being here with you right now. And that's fun, huh?"

"Yeah."

Sunday, October 31, 2010

growing pains

"...the more we dwell upon ourselves, the more insecure we become." - Eknath Easwaran

Our egos are our own worst enemies. The way we perceive ourselves. The way we think others perceive us and the things we do to improve the image we display. I'm embarrassed to say that I have spent a great deal of energy in my life pouring myself into the mold of "me" that I think others want to see and to be around. It is a pursuit that has no finish line. No prize. There are fleeting moments that feel exhilarating; moments that hold the satisfaction of receiving the positive attention that I had sought out. But this way of defining who I am is exhausting and robs me of the true joy that I can experience if I turn my attention inward.

I have a lot of work to do. I thought I had already fought this battle with myself a number of years ago and moved on. Life is a lot of work when we choose to grow. But, life is even more work when we choose not to.